Child of the Rebellion: West Virginia Sesquicentennial
Civil War Union Militia Correspondence

165th Regt Va MW

Cox’s Phillip Gilmer County V.a
May 26th 1862
Dear Sir

In answer to your enqury(sic) as to the Officers election in the 165th Regt Virginia militia I can only say to you that all the commissions that I have rec, I handed to the individuals as soon as they took the required oath and consequently I cannot refer to them to afsertain(sic) their dates, If it is important that I should the dates of their commissions I can get them on the 31st just as I have summoned the officers to assemble at the court house on that day for the purpose of Electing a Col Lt Col and a Major.

I should have held this election sooner but I have been waiting for the commissions of several company officers which have not yet arrived to Mt Jacob S. Hall as Capt. John Wyers first Lt. and John W. Bush 2nd Lt. they was elected on the 22nd day of March 1862 & Election reported individually But their commission have not yet rec, The Blanks that you sent to me for the officers to fill and make oath to have not arrived, when I first started on my town of holdin(sic) Elections Consequently I could not have the required oaths administered at the time of holding the Elections, but I subsequently rec, them & sent them filled in a proper manner to the several officers and as fast as fast as I could get them I mailed them to you. On the 20th 19th day of March at Glenville I held an Election at which election Josha P. Owens was elected Captain William H. Powell first and William Campbell 2nd Lt they subsequently to the necisary(sic) Oaths and the certificats(sic) were forwarded to you, but their commissions have not come to hand as yet

On the 20th day of March /62 I held an Election on Cedar Creek at which election Edward Norris was elected Capt William Brown first Lt and Samuel P. Beck (illegible) 2nd Lt I have just Rec the certificate and they are inclosed com commissions will come soon.

On the 25th day of April I held an election on Sand Fork (after 2 unsuccessful efforts) at which election Archibald Burk was elected Capt William M Cox first Lt and Samuel Brilon (illegible) + Lt, they took the several oaths immediately and I sent them to you together with a report of the election their commissions have not come to hand

I have had much trouble to hold the several election in some instances I have to notify them 3 or 4 times before they would attend and in many instances I was threatened with death if I persisted in organizing(sic) the militia, twice I narrowly escaped Guerilla bands, who have been infesting our county, taking prisoners, and stealing horses and other property, 9 horses was stolen one night (on the 20th of march in the same neighborhood where I held a company master but I escaped although they passed the house in which I lodged.

Let me say to you that these are some of the reasons that I have been so long in organizing the militia of this county, 8/10 of which is sesesh. Write to me soon and let me know if the commissions will be issued or not, as even I (illegible) yours

Phillip Cox
Adjutant 165
Rich V.a mw

Transcription by Adam Brown, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton’s Fall 2010 “Introduction to Public History” at West Virginia State University